In order to allow the CBI probe to progress smoothly, the Palaniswami government should resign, he said.

DMK Leader M.K. Stalin said gutka was openly sold during late Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa’s rule and under Palaniswami’s rule.

Stalin said an English television channel had reported bribes were allegedly paid to top police officials.

Stalin added the issue was raised by him in the state Assembly he and several of his party members were sent out. Speaker P. Dhanapal termed it as breach of privilege for bringing a banned substance into the Assembly.

The issue was referred to Privilege Committee which had issued a notice to Stalin and some DMK law makers.

“We had obtained a stay against that notice,” Stalin said.

According to Stalin, if the CBI probe should proceed smoothly then Health Minister C Vijaya Baskar, DGP T K Rajendran should resign from their respective posts.

Adding further, Stalin said Chief Minister Palaniswami should quit his post so that that people are benefitted.

Similarly, the Communist Party of India’s (CPI) Tamil Nadu State Secretary R. Mutharasan said the CBI probe should be under the supervision of the High Court.

He also said the minister and other officials alleged to be involved in the scam should quit their posts.

Meanwhile, Health Minister C Vijayabaskar, who was reportedly under the scanner in the case, said the accusations and charges are generally levelled “against those in public life,”and added that it was the “job” of the opposition to level allegations.

“Madiyil ganamillai, vazhiyil bayamaillai,” (Nothing to hide, nothing to fear), he said quoting a Tamil adage, while speaking to reporters.